Obligatory Heels and Lipstick for Female Staff at the Bank of England

While most institutions try to deal with recession by laying off personnel or by employing other methods meant to ensure they don’t go bankrupt, the Bank of England seems to have come across quite a unique solution in these financially-dire times. The British media is reporting that the entire female staff has been informed that, from thereon, high heels and at least minimum makeup is compulsory at the office.

This is the second initiative of the type in the UK but, notwithstanding, it has still managed to stir up quite a controversy, since it’s being said that it is “farcical,” anti-feminist, and completely redundant, and it will undoubtedly fail to return the expected results.

On the other hand, officials for the bank say that this is only an image change, and has nothing to do with the institution’s way of fighting recession. The tips on what the female staff wears to work, they explain, are only guidelines and not set in stone.

Image consultants gathered all female employees and briefed them on what to wear next day to work. The guidelines were more than precise about what was to be allowed and what not. “Always wear a heel of some sort – maximum two inches; and always wear some sort of make-up, even if it’s just lipstick. No-nos include ankle chains – professional, but not the one you want to be associated with – white heels; overstuffed handbags; an overload of rings and double pierced ears.” women were reportedly told. Still, bank officials insist that this is not the dress code of the institution.

This did not stop feminists to speak their minds on the initiative, labeling it “farcical” and belittling for all the women involved. “Setting down codes in this way sends a message to women employees that they have to look a certain way to be successful in business and that is absolutely contra equal opportunities practice.” Katherine Rake, director of the women’s rights group the Fawcett Society, points out.

While she is not alone in seeing things that way, there are also plenty others who disagree. Lucinda Slater, founder of the image consultancy Best Foot Forward, for one, sees this not as sexism, but as a means of improving the image of the bank. “If you ignore how you come across in other people’s perceptions, then you create difficulties for yourself. The fact is that we live in a visual world, in which people make judgments about how you appear. Your image is an essential part of your reputation.” Slater concludes.